152 THE FAMILY OF 



He felt himself perplex'd ; nor is 't a wonder, 

 For choosing of a wife's a serious thing, 



And it is hard to remedy a blunder 



Once we've " for better for worse'* put on the ring 5 



Scratching his head, and biting his nails under 

 The quick was the only way of solacing 



His griefs, that he had hit upon as yet 



I should have recommended " heavy wet." 



He thought of Norah, and he thought if he 

 Were wedded to her 'twould be very fine 



To hear the gazing neighbours, whisperingly 



Say, " there's the young bride, is not she divine I" 



And then he thought of how accomplished!}*, . 

 And willingly she drained a glass of wine, 



And then he thought (which made his pulse more cool) 



Of a good combing with a three-Iegg'd stool. 



His dream turned next to Sheelah, who was better, 

 What ecstasy to see her dizen'd out ! 



She had her little tantrums but no matter 

 Women look loveliest sometimes when they pout ! 



And then to see all the young gallants at her, 

 And her house gay, with twice a week a rout ! 



But then to have (which not at all adorns 



One's coat of arms) a monstrous pair of horns ! 



And last he thought of Kathleen cruel fate, 

 That had so marr'd her beauty ! were her face 



Good as her heart he would not hesitate, 

 But really it is an awkward case 



To be for life tied to an ugly mate ; 



But then she loved him he could plainly trace : 



He recollected, too (which there 's some good in), 



How excellently she could make a pudding. 



While thus he lingered unresolv'd and tried 

 But all in vain to make his choice, the day 



Whereon 'twas destin'd he should claim his bride 

 Drew near to hand : he knew not what to say, 



For now, if he did not with speed decide, 

 He'd have a heavy penalty to pay 



For putting off his marriage day beyond 



The period "nominated in the bond." 



Sir Brian was so cock-a- whoop that one 

 Of his dear daughters was to be united 



Immediately to our hero, that upon 



The nonce he gave a grand wake and invited 



Innumerable guests to share the fun 



The girls I need not say were quite delighted, 



And bustled to and fro, preparing all 



Things necessary for the ensuing ball. 



They left poor Kathleen in her russet gown, 

 Or to appear or not as she thought proper, 



She purpos'd, although late, to go to town 

 To purchase one, but they thought fit to stop her, 



